Direct Relief is a humanitarian organization active in 50 states and more than 80 countries. Direct Relief helps people and communities without regard to politics, religion, ethnic identities, or the ability to pay. They improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or crises. Direct Relief provided postwar assistance to enable people to help themselves. In 1950, a revolving loan fund was established to provide refugees with small grants to establish new lives. The tradition of transparent, direct, and targeted help, supplied in a manner that respects and involves the people served, has been a hallmark of the organization since its founding in 1948 by a refugee war immigrant, William Zimdin.